About Wind Power

Wind energy, combined with other types of renewable energy, will be used to diversify the national electricity grid – meaning that South Africas electricity supply will should eventually come from a variety of sources, including renewable clean energy from wind farms, solar plants, hydro resources, hybrid systems, as well as from the traditional coal and nuclear-powered stations. But why is it necessary to diversify South Africa’s energy production? Continue reading to find out about the successful wind farm initiatives that are already underway in South Africa.

The importance of renewable energy

Traditionally, electricity has been generated by coal-fired power stations and, until relatively recently, this has been considered the most effective and reliable means of producing electricity in South Africa. However, as the human population has continued to grow at a rapid pace, the global demand for electricity has soared. As a result, the world’s supply of finite fossil fuels has begun to diminish at a quicker rate, and once depleted, it will not be possible to restore them.

Moreover, the harmful environmental effects of burning these fuels to generate electricity have become impossible to ignore. During combustion, fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere – primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). These gases are considered to be major contributing factors to the escalating climate crisis, and nations all over the world are making efforts to reduce these gaseous emissions. The onus is thus on South Africa to do the same.

At this point in time, coal is still a fairly abundant and affordable resource in South Africa. Nonetheless, the harmful by-products of its use cannot be ignored – and it is also clear that South Africa’s power stations are unable to keep up with the increasing demand for electricity. This is the reason for load shedding that was recently experienced in different part of South Africa, and for the ever-increasing price of electricity.

Establishing wind energy in South Africa

In its 2003 White Paper on Renewable Energy, the DoE committed to diversifying national energy supply through sustainable sources. Specifically, it set a target of 17 800GWh to be produced from renewable energy sources by 2030. To meet this objective renewable energy projects such as wind farms have already been successfully established in South Africa, and several more large wind farm projects are in development. The Independent Power Producers (IPP) programme has been set up to help meet the short and long-term renewable energy objectives. Learn more about the advantages of wind power, and why wind energy is a great renewable energy solution for South Africa.

Wind is one of the most abundant sources of energy on earth. Advantages of wind power include that it provides a clean and sustainable form of energy, it’s freely available, and most importantly, it will never run out.

For thousands of years, humans have harnessed the power of wind to generate electricity, but it’s only in recent years that it has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional forms of energy generation.

And finding an alternate form of energy production is becoming increasingly critical. Fossil fuels are not only contributing to the ever-worsening climate crisis, but they’re also going to run out: These fuels, of which coal is the most commonly used, are finite in quantity, and once they have been expended, it won’t be possible to regenerate them. Wind, on the other hand, will be available for millennia to come.

Wind energy diversifies the national energy grid

75% of South Africa’s electricity is produced at coal-fired power plants that are run by Eskom, and about 5% from nuclear. Over recent years, it’s become patently clear that Eskom isn’t able to keep up with the demand for electricity – a fact that has resulted in rolling black outs, price hikes and nationwide campaigns to limit electricity usage wherever possible.

As Eskom struggles to deal with the growing demand for electricity in South Africa, renewable energy companies have stepped up to help diversify the country’s energy supply. By introducing alternate forms of energy such as wind farms to the South African electricity grid, renewable energy companies will help to relieve the burden placed on Eskom, while also providing a cheaper, cleaner and more sustainable form of energy to the South African public.

Thanks to a favourable climate and abundance of suitable land, wind energy presents one of the most viable forms of generating energy in South Africa. Moreover, it’s the fastest-growing form of renewable energy on the planet. Over 3% of the world’s energy is being generated by wind sources, with more than 400,000 megawatts (MW) being produced from wind in various parts of the world. This means that other nations have “tried and tested” wind energy generation and found it to be highly successful. All we need to do is follow in their footsteps.

Most people have seen the large, futuristic wind turbines dotting the landscape in rural farming areas, with massive blades stretching into the sky. They certainly look impressive, but what are the actual advantages of using wind energy to generate electricity? Read on to find out.

Advantages of using wind energy in South Africa

Wind is a free and infinite resource – Wind is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs naturally in the environment. Therefore, like sunshine or rain, it’s free, clean and will never run out. Anyone with the right equipment can harness the power of the wind to generate electricity, and it will always be available to use, unlike finite fossil fuels, which are quickly dwindling in supply. At present, more than 90% of South Africa’s energy is generated by coal-fired power stations.

Wind is a clean energy source – Conventionally, fossil fuels have been used to generate electricity in most parts of the world. Apart from the fact that these are finite resources that will eventually run out, fossil fuels are also harmful to the environment when used to produce electricity. During combustion, fossil fuels such as coal emit many by-products into the atmosphere, two of which are carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Both these gases have been shown to contribute to the worsening climate crisis. Converting wind energy into electricity releases no harmful by-products into the environment.

Wind energy projects create jobs – For every wind farm project that is established in South Africa, tens if not hundreds of jobs are created, for both skilled and unskilled workers. Often, experts are sought from around the country – and the world – to guide and train local workers, thus creating valuable opportunities for skills enhancement and knowledge transfer. Both temporary and permanent jobs are created by the establishment of every wind farm in South Africa.

Wind energy brings electricity to rural communities – Most wind farm projects are set up in rural communities, as the land and environmental conditions are ideal for renewable energy initiatives. Wind farms bring clean, affordable and sustainable energy to these communities, as well as to other areas that don’t have access to electricity. Wind energy can also power schools, hospitals and clinics that wouldn’t otherwise have access to electricity.

Wind farms reduce the dependency on fossil fuels – As mentioned earlier, fossil fuels are finite and at some point, they will run out. Wind farms, as well as other renewable energy initiatives, help to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, which means that if they do run out, South Africa won’t be left in darkness.